Turkish Rabbinate Establishes Commission to Stimulate Kashrut

September 18, 1957

ISTANBUL (Sep. 17)

The Turkish Grand Rabbinate has set up a rabbinically commission to stimulate the use of kosher meat by members of the community, but there was some skepticism in communal circles about its chances of success.

Critics charged that some lay members of the commission were known not to keep kashruth regulations. In addition, many Jews who follow dietary laws at home cannot or will not do so when they eat in restaurants. In fact, there are only three kosher restaurants in this city, all located in the business center. It was estimated that about 40 percent of Istanbul Jews eat kosher meat and that among the younger people in the community observance was declining.